If you thought your love life was cursed, wait until you watch Cursed Bonds. This Nigerian supernatural thriller, directed by Tissy Nnachi and released on March 21, 2025, is currently showing in theaters across Nigeria. Sadly, it’s not yet available for streaming, so if you want to witness cursed romance, immortality, and bad life choices, you’ll need to leave your couch.
The film is yet to have an official rating, but given the drama and supernatural elements, it’s safe to assume it’s not for toddlers.
The Premise
Cursed Bonds follows the lives of two individuals whose destinies have been shaped by the sins of their fathers.
There’s Adunni, whose father committed a terrible crime—sexually assaulting a woman and causing her to lose her womb. In retaliation, the woman placed a curse on his bloodline: Adunni would be doomed to kill any man she falls in love with.
Her mother knew the curse was real from the moment Adunni, as a teenager, unknowingly took the life of her first boyfriend. His death, ruled a suicide, was only the beginning. Every man Adunni loved met the same fate, their deaths eerily resembling self-inflicted wounds.
To make matters worse, Adunni isn’t fully aware of what happens when she kills. She falls into a trance-like state, as if something beyond her control forces her to carry out the curse against her will.
Eventually, she chose to stay away from relationships altogether.
Then there’s Ifeanyi, whose fate is equally cruel.
His father’s past sins led to a generational curse—one that granted him and his descendants immortality, forcing them to endure endless suffering.
Unlike Adunni, Ifeanyi has learned to use his curse to his advantage, becoming an assassin who fearlessly walks into fights, knowing he can never die.
But what seems like a gift is also a prison—he has watched everyone he loves grow old and perish while he remains unchanged.
Despite their burdens, Adunni and Ifeanyi have always been close friends. When their secrets finally come to light, they form an even deeper connection, drawn together by their shared afflictions.
What begins as an unfortunate revelation soon turns into something much darker—they find themselves relishing the twisted cycle they are trapped in. Every night, Adunni tries to kill Ifeanyi, and every night, he heals. This bizarre torment becomes their version of intimacy, a cursed love story like no other.
But their eternal suffering takes an unexpected turn when Ifeanyi’s past catches up with him. The son of a man he once killed seeks revenge, unknowingly becoming the key to breaking all curses.
Cast and Performances
Zubby Michael takes on the role of Ifeanyi, the cursed immortal who doubles as an assassin, while Omowunmi Dada plays Adunni, the woman doomed to kill the men she loves.
Tina Mba delivers a strong performance as Adunni’s mother, and Grace Weah portrays the third friend in their circle, Lydia. Though her character comes with a secret of her own, it ultimately feels like an unnecessary addition to the plot.
Zubby Michael’s performance left me uncertain. He’s known for his charismatic energy, but in this role, it felt like he wasn’t quite sure what personality he wanted to embody. His portrayal of Ifeanyi lacked the depth needed to make the character’s struggle truly compelling. As an immortal, his existence should have carried more weight, yet his emotions often felt shallow and lacking depth.. His chemistry with Omowunmi Dada felt forced, not fated, making their on-screen romance unconvincing and hard to believe.
Omowunmi Dada, on the other hand, carried her role with the ease of someone who has mastered the art of playing tormented characters. Having taken on similar thriller roles, like in Madam Koi Koi, she effortlessly slid into Adunni’s tragic existence. She balanced the character’s eerie, trance-like killings with moments of genuine vulnerability, making her plight feel both chilling and heartbreaking.
Tina Mba, as expected, was a powerhouse. Her presence added weight to every scene she was in, grounding the supernatural elements with raw emotion. She delivered some of the most powerful moments in the film, proving once again why she’s one of Nollywood’s finest.
Grace Weah also gave a solid performance, but it felt like the script didn’t quite know what to do with her character beyond making her suffer elegantly. While she brought grace and nuance to her role, her storyline never truly justified its presence, leaving her feeling like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the narrative.
What I Liked About It
Cursed Bonds stands out for its unique concept—there aren’t many films that weave romance, supernatural curses, and social commentary into one compelling story. It dares to explore love and fate through a darker lens, making it an intriguing watch from the start.
Beyond the story itself, the film benefits from strong performances. Omowunmi Dada and Tina Mba, in particular, delivered commendable acting, bringing depth and emotional weight to their roles. Their performances made the supernatural elements feel grounded, adding authenticity to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
What I Didn’t Like
While Cursed Bonds has a gripping premise, the pacing struggles to keep up. Some scenes linger longer than they should, while others rush by so quickly that key moments don’t get the weight they deserve. It sometimes feels like the film can’t quite decide when to slow down and when to push forward.
Visually, the film shines in some areas but disappoints in others. While the cinematography is commendable, the CGI effects tell a different story. The supernatural elements, which should have been the film’s most striking feature, often look unconvincing.
And while the supernatural elements add intrigue, they aren’t always fully explored. At times, the curses feel less like an unbearable fate and more like a frustrating inconvenience, missing the chance to make them truly haunting.
Then there’s the ending—emotional, yes, but not entirely satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Cursed Bonds is an ambitious film that delivers drama, heartbreak, and supernatural intrigue. While it stumbles in a few places, the strong performances and unique premise make it worth a watch—especially if you’re in the mood for something different from the usual Nollywood offerings.
Rating
I would rate this movie 3 out of 5 stars.
Have you seen Cursed Bonds? What did you think about it? Do you believe in supernatural curses, or do you think these characters just had terrible luck? Let’s discuss!
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